Ranji Trophy Final: Sarwate Steers Kerala's Response as Pace Attack Shines

Nagpur, Feb 27 (NationPress) Kerala’s pace trio of Nedumankuzhy Basil, MD Nidheesh, and Eden Apple Tom prevented Vidarbha from fully exploiting their advantageous overnight position on the second day of the Ranji Trophy final at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha on Thursday. Despite facing resistance from Vidarbha's lower order, Kerala’s disciplined bowling kept them in contention as Aditya Sarwate scored a composed 66 not out, leading his team to 131 for 3 at stumps.

Vidarbha, the finalists from the previous edition, resumed at 254/4 but were eventually bowled out for 379, with tailenders frustrating Kerala during a crucial phase. A late partnership of 44 runs between Harsh Dubey and Nachiket Bhute helped Vidarbha surpass the 350-run mark, with Bhute contributing a vital 32 runs off 38 balls.

The day commenced with aggressive batting from Vidarbha’s overnight players. Yash Thakur set the tone by flicking the first ball to the midwicket boundary and followed up with another boundary to square leg.

While Nidheesh found some swing and displayed discipline, Apple Tom struggled with his lines and conceded early runs. Danish Malewar celebrated his 150 with a pulled six, but Basil provided Kerala with a crucial breakthrough, getting one to nip back and dismantle Malewar’s stumps for a well-played 153.

Basil struck again in his next over, dismissing the other set batter Thakur, trapping him lbw with a sharp in-swinger. Tom then made an immediate impact on his return, dismissing Vidarbha’s highest run-scorer this season, Yash Rathod, with a delivery that straightened off the pitch and took the edge to first slip.

At 297 for 7, Kerala sensed an opportunity. However, Vidarbha’s lower order resisted fiercely. Akshay Wadkar and Akshay Karnewar added 36 runs before Karnewar fell to a sharp low catch at cover by Rohan Kunnummal.

Wadkar continued to find unconventional runs, hitting a six over deep backward point and surviving an inside edge for four leg-byes. His spirited innings ended when a back-of-length delivery from Apple Tom moved away, found the edge, and resulted in a simple catch behind.

Bhute provided the final flourish, smashing two sixes off Jalaj Saxena to push Vidarbha past 350, while Dubey rotated the strike effectively. Their 44-run partnership delayed the lunch break, extending beyond the scheduled two-and-a-half-hour session. Bhute eventually fell trying to run a short-of-good-length ball to third man, edging behind off Nidheesh as Vidarbha’s innings concluded at 379.

Vidarbha struck early with the ball. Darshan Nalkande’s searing yorker in the first over caught Kunnummal off guard, ricocheting off the bat onto the stumps. Nalkande continued his fiery spell, producing a full, swinging delivery that caught the inside edge of Akshay Chandran’s bat before rattling the stumps. Kerala found themselves at 4 for 2, with Vidarbha seizing all the momentum.

However, Aditya Sarwate and Ahammed Imran steadied Kerala’s innings with a significant 93-run partnership. Sarwate, promoted to No. 3, counterattacked, cover-driving Thakur’s overpitched deliveries for boundaries. Imran survived an edge off Bhute that was put down at second slip, allowing Kerala to settle by tea at 57 for 2.

The duo continued in the final session, keeping Vidarbha’s bowlers at bay. Imran was eventually dismissed for 37, falling to a well-directed bouncer from Thakur just before stumps. Sarwate, however, remained unbeaten on 66, ensuring Kerala concluded the day in a relatively stable position at 131 for 3, with Sachin Baby accompanying him on 7 not out.

Brief scores:

Vidarbha 379 all out in 123.1 overs (Danish Malewar 153, Harsh Dubey 12 not out; MD Nidheesh 3-61, Eden Apple Tom 3-102) lead Kerala 131/3 in 39 overs (Aditya Sarwate 66 not out, Sachin Baby 7 not out; Darshan Nalkande 2-22, Yash Thakur 1-45) by 248 runs